Bank of Brainard & land office

A 2"x3" acetate negative, 1977 or 1978 copy of a photograph taken in downtown Brainard, Nebraska, of a small, one-story, flat-roofed, wood building with two windows and a center door above which hangs a sign advertising "North Western Horse & Cattle Insurance Agency - Land Office". The building became the Bank of Brainard in 1886. Several smaller signs, one advertising a "Notary Public" hang on the building and windows. J. J. Smersh, wearing suit, hat and full beard is standing on the boardwalk to the left of the doorway. Thomas McKnight, wearing 3-piece suit, white shirt, knotted tie, mustache and beard is standing in the doorway of the building, with his hand on his hip. Grandpa Talbot is leaning against the doorframe wearing a 3-piece suit, shirt, tie and beard, with his hat in his hand. Dr. Hull is standing on the boardwalk, dressed in a 3-piece shirt, white shirt, knotted tie and top hat.

The first Bank of Brainard building was originally used as a Land Office, located where the water tower pump house is now. The Bank of Brainard was founded November 18, 1886, as a private bank by Alfred Kneeland "A.K." Smith of Rutland, Vermont and J. Tom McKnight, a local realtor. A.K. came west looking for a place to open a bank. When his train was stranded in Brainard due to a snowstorm, he became acquainted with Mr. McKnight and within a few days they became partners, each contributing $1,500 toward the venture. In March, 1900, A. K. married Estella Thorpe of David City, Nebraska, whose father built the Thorpe Opera House, in downtown David City. A.K. eventually bought out Mr. McKnight and incorporated the bank as a State Bank in 1892. In 1928, the bank was sold to Charles and Louis F. Novak. A.K. Smith died March 16, 1929.